The first ever Gluten-Free for Life Expo will be held in St Petersburg on March 24, 2012 from 11:am to 4:pm at The Coliseum, 535 Forth Avenue N. The Gluten Intolerance Support Group of Largo presents this one-of-a-kind expo to provide information on the Gluten-Free lifestyle. The group’s goal is to increase awareness of Celiac Disease and Gluten–Intolerance and provide education and resources for the Gluten-Free Community.

Cleo Libonati, RN, BSN will be presenting "Identifying and Correcting Nutritional Deficiencies in Celiac Disease." While many people recognize the need to remove gluten from the diet, the other side of getting well - how to identify and correct nutritional deficiencies - is less understood by patients and professionals alike. Cleo has spoken to medical schools, nurse practitioner associations, dietetic associations and gluten free support groups across the country where her presentation consistently receives rave reviews.

John Libonati presenting Educating for Life to the Philadelphia Celiac Support Group

John Libonati's presentation, "Educating For Life: Addressing the Need for Increased Physician Awareness of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity," explains why the rate of successful diagnosis and treatment are unacceptably low, the impact of the current situation on lives and the economy and how things will only change if physicians are made aware of the nuances of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, equipped with current information and the resources they need to identify, diagnose and treat patients.

About the Expo:

Florida’s premier Gluten-Free for Life Expo is gearing up to assist hundreds of Children & Families in need!

Gluten-Free for Life Expo – Saturday, March 24th, 2012 from 11:am to 4:pm at the St. Petersburg Coliseum on 535 4th Avenue N, St Petersburg, Florida.

Did you know…9 million of the 25 million people served by food banks nationwide are children? And that an estimated 68,000 of them have Celiac Disease or Gluten-Intolerance? Florida’s premier Gluten-Free for Life Expo is gearing up to assist hundreds of Children & Families coping and living with Celiac Disease and Gluten-Intolerance in the Tampa Bay area. The estimated 2,000 plus visitors & Vendors at the day-long event are expected to bring in hundreds of pounds of Gluten-Free non-perishable food donations that will be collected to maintain the new Gluten-Free Emergency Food Pantry in Tampa.

Additionally, a five dollar requested donation at the door will benefit Camp Weekaneatit, a weeklong kid’s summer camp for Gluten-Intolerant and Celiac kids.

Visitors can sample Gluten-Free products from local and national vendors and hear nationally known speakers such as Shannon Ford, Mrs United States 2011, who is proud to promote her platform, “1 in 133 – Raising Awareness for Celiac Disease” along with presentations by Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN of the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess, and Pam Cureton, RD, LDN of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research. Additional speakers will also provide classes in Gluten-Free baking, shopping, and cooking.

The group’s goal is to increase awareness of Celiac Disease and Gluten–Intolerance and provide education and resources for the Gluten-Free Community. They plan on doing that with an impressive list of speakers…Researchers, Educators, Authors, & Wellness Coaches. Invitations have gone out to the Medical Community, Florida’s Celiac and Gluten-Intolerance Support Groups, the Food Industry as well as the general population.

A five dollar requested donation at the door will benefit Camp Weekaneatit, a weeklong kid’s summer camp for Gluten-Intolerant and Celiac kids. Additionally, Gluten-Free non-perishable food donations will be accepted to help build and maintain the new Gluten Free Emergency Food Pantry at Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa.

Media Contact: Kelly Cisarik

Email : GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com
About GlutenFreeWorks.com:

One of the most popular gluten-free websites on the internet, Glutenfreeworks.com provides articles and resources people need to get well, look good and stay healthy living gluten-free. Founded by John and Cleo Libonati in 2005, Glutenfreeworks.com is recognized as one of the most credible sources for accurate information about celiac disease, gluten sensitivity and the gluten-free diet. With hundreds of recipes, thousands of articles from expert authors and key opinion leaders, a thriving Gluten Free NetWorks online community and new gluten-free deal website - Deals.Glutenfreeworks.com, Gluten Free Works is a leader among gluten-free resources on the internet.